[Cid]

I've recently started listening to more rock and metal and I think that's where the HD595 is failing me. (spot on for classical though) I'm not sure if I really like Grados, though. I had a listen to the SR-60 for about 10mins, but I wasn't listening to rock at the time. Basically looking for a decent budget pair of grados that could out perform my HD595's in the rock department.

Any idea what price range I'd be looking at to achieve that?

 

[jgonino]

sr60 or sr80 would be a good option for rock. They are both under 100USD with the 60 being about 30usd cheaper. They really let the distortion on electric guitars Rip! There are also the 125, 225, 325 etc.

 

[Televator]

as you are outside of the US, perhaps the Alessandro/Grado MS1 would be suited for your needs. It is said to sound like a less harsh grado SR-225. I have the MS2i and the SR-60 and easily prefer the Alessandro presentation of the Grado House-sound. The MS1 should deliver quite a lot of fun and auditive pleasure, but if you really want to 'outperform' other decent phones perhaps the MS2i is more of your preference. It is the equivalent of Grado's SR-325i but with softened highs and a more neutral presentation without taking away the fun-factor. It's like you can choose between analytical and musical pleasures by just focusing on separate instruments/tones or not.

The MS1 comes at $99 shipped (worldwide shipping included) and this will be cheaper than even an SR-60 given Grado's reluctance to sell abroad. The MS2i will set you back $299 (worldwide shipping included as well).

 

[MaZa]

MS1 is safe and good start.

 

[Veniogenesis]

I've listened to the MS-1 and compared it with my SR-60. I prefer the MS-1 over it; it's just more balanced and the SR-60's sound is almost a little "offensive" in comparison.

I've never heard the MS-2i, but it's not hard to ignore the hundreds of people who own the MS-2i and love it. Many consider it to be one of the best headphones in terms of value. Search on the forums for comments regarding the MS-2i; it just might be what you're looking for. I've also heard the HD595 and owned the HD555, and would gladly favor a MS-1 over a HD595/555 for rock. The HD555/595 just don't have the snap of the Alessandro/Grado sound. Good luck!

By the way, I love your avatar. Haruka is so awesome.

 

[NanduAjit]

quick question on the MS-1. Is it a sr-60 or sr-80 they upgrade? And what upgrades do they make? I heard that its based on the sr-80 and if it is then there is no price difference between the two new..?

 

[Veniogenesis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanduAjit /img/forum/go_quote.gif quick question on the MS-1. Is it a sr-60 or sr-80 they upgrade? And what upgrades do they make? I heard that its based on the sr-80 and if it is then there is no price difference between the two new..?

Most people believe the MS-1 has SR-125 drivers/housing. No one knows for sure however. For all we know, multiple headphones in the Grado lineup could have the same driver. Of course, that is not issue. With any model of headphones, the way the drivers are implemented and the housing are extremely important to the resultant sound. And thus there is a difference among headphones with the same drivers.

 

[EnOYiN]

I think the MS-1 is the best option indeed. However if you are looking for the cheapest "grado-sound" you can go for the SR-60s. Everything of Grado (in my opinion) sounds pretty much the same. A SR-225 sounds better than a SR-60 and I think that a SR-325i sounds better than the 225. The sound stays the same it will just get a bit better with every step you make.

I think the MS-1 is the best way to start. If you buy the SR-60 you will probably end up with a feeling like: "Man, I should've gotten the MS-1s." And when you've gotten the MS-1s you will think something like this: "Woohoo, I just bought a headphone which is just a good as the SR-325is but a lot cheaper."

As far as amps are concerned. I think the grado sound is better with tubes. That might just be me though.

 

[noobie72]

Hmm, I currently have both the MS1 and the HD595. I don't think that the MS1's are that much more upfront than the 595s. The 595s do have a wider soundstage, though. I also have the SR225 and they are noticeably more upfront than the 595s. I settled on the MS2is. To me they are a noticeable upgrade over the all the phones I just mentioned.

Is the OP looking for a slightly more upfront sound over the 595s or a quite noticeable difference? If it's the latter, I'd go for the SR60s/SR80/SR125s versus the more laid back Alessandros.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Veniogenesis /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've listened to the MS-1 and compared it with my SR-60. I prefer the MS-1 over it; it's just more balanced and the SR-60's sound is almost a little "offensive" in comparison. I've never heard the MS-2i, but it's not hard to ignore the hundreds of people who own the MS-2i and love it. Many consider it to be one of the best headphones in terms of value. Search on the forums for comments regarding the MS-2i; it just might be what you're looking for. I've also heard the HD595 and owned the HD555, and would gladly favor a MS-1 over a HD595/555 for rock. The HD555/595 just don't have the snap of the Alessandro/Grado sound. Good luck! By the way, I love your avatar. Haruka is so awesome.

 

[GlendaleViper]

For the record, I want to state that to these ears, the MS1 is NOT as good as the SR225 and SR325i. Not by a long shot.

It is, however, likely the best introduction to the Grado sound for a European apprehensive about making the purchase, since there are no regional prices. My recommendation would still land on the SR60, however. I prefer its presentation to the MS1 and considering you already have the 595, I think the more bassy and brash SR60 will provide a more stark contrast than the MS1, which is more refined, though a little thin on bass.

 

[Cid]

Wow I got a lot more replies than I thought I would. Thanks for the help, I think I'll buy the MS1 as it's a fair bit cheaper than most of the Grado phones and if I don't like it I won't be losing much, at least.

 

[EnOYiN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlendaleViper /img/forum/go_quote.gif For the record, I want to state that to these ears, the MS1 is NOT as good as the SR225 and SR325i. Not by a long shot.

I do like those better as well and surely they are better. The only problem with those headphones is that they are more expensive. I like the RS-1 better than the 325i, but again, it's more expensive.

The main difference between the Alessandros and the Grados is the impact for as far as I know. It's just a matter of taste which you like better.

 

[loquito316]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cid /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've recently started listening to more rock and metal and I think that's where the HD595 is failing me. (spot on for classical though) I'm not sure if I really like Grados, though. I had a listen to the SR-60 for about 10mins, but I wasn't listening to rock at the time. Basically looking for a decent budget pair of grados that could out perform my HD595's in the rock department. Any idea what price range I'd be looking at to achieve that?

I was exactly at this point about a week ago. I love my HD595's, but they just didn't compare to my Super.fi 5 pro's when it came to rock and things of that nature--just too laid back to make it fun.

Solution? I ordered some SR-80's from TTVJ, and man, I'm enamored. There's no way I would have as much fun listening to Jimi Hendrix on my Senn's--as awesome as they might be. I picked up the pair for 90 shipped with the new customer coupon that Todd e-mails out to newly registered customers. The SR-80's get my wholehearted recommendation. I just wish I'd discovered them sooner.

 

[alitomr]

I Own the Grado SR225 and I just cant justify the expense to get just a BIT better sound on guitars when listening to rock (that's from the HD555). They pretty much suck for every other music. This kind of threads just make me remember how sad I was one week ago when i received mine....

I strongly suggest you try them before you buy them. Just a day or two after I received mine thre was a thread titled something like "The most overrated cans..." or something. The Grados were there all the time and the winner (the most voted) was the SR225.

If you havent listened to them you should get the cheapest used one you can get and see what you think.

 

[MaZa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alitomr /img/forum/go_quote.gif I Own the Grado SR225 and I just cant justify the expense to get just a BIT better sound on guitars when listening to rock (that's from the HD555). They pretty much suck for every other music. This kind of threads just make me remember how sad I was one week ago when i received mine.... I strongly suggest you try them before you buy them. Just a day or two after I received mine thre was a thread titled something like "The most overrated cans..." or something. The Grados were there all the time and the winner (the most voted) was the SR225. If you havent listened to them you should get the cheapest used one you can get and see what you think.

It largely also depends on taste. For persons who listens a LOT of rock and metal, and really concentrates on riffs (like me), Grado SR225 is fantastic choice. A specialist cans, sort of, NOT for only-can-in-da-house. Alessandro is a bit different story, they work with about every type of music, but they still have enough bite for rock. For me, Sennheisers dont cut at all. And my ears dont really get the BIT part. When I compared HD595 and SR225 at the same time, HD595 totally blowed in electric guitars compared to SR225. There wasnt even contest.